Explorer of the Seas Review

Expected Better

Review for Europe Cruise on Explorer of the Seas
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Cruiser Rick1
10+ Cruises • Age 60s

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Sail Date: Oct 2019
Cabin: Ocean View Balcony

We chose this cruise for the D Day Beaches and the American Cemetery at Normandy. We booked a fairly expensive all day excursion in Le Havre. I was shocked to receive an email about a month before sailing, that due to ship speed limits, we would not arrive a Le Havre at 10:30 am as scheduled but at 12:30 pm. The excursion was cancelled and we did receive a full refund. I booked a different excursion to Normandy immediately that was still shown on the cruise planner. Once we got on the ship, a partial credit was issued as this excursion was shortened without a single word to us. The last stop on the excursion was Arromanches, the site of the remaining Muberry Harbor, but at the time we arrived, all shops in the area were closed and only two restaurants open. Everyone on the bus had to go to the bathroom so this was total chaos.

My second complaint is the main showroom. One of the shows was a cover band of the group Take That, that I had never heard of. Apparently this was an English group that was know to the British cruisers. We saw the whole show but was not impressed. Imagine our surprise when the Farewell Show the next night featured the group again. However not for just a song or two but their entire show from the night before. What a disappointment, not with the group but scheduling from the entertainment staff.

Ship is in need of some updating, but our cabin was fine and our room steward was great. Dining was very slow the first night but we complained to the head waiter and extra efforts were taken to complete dinner service in a reasonable time frame. Food in the main dining room was fine. No options late at night but the Promenade Cafe.

Cabin Review

Ocean View Balcony

Balcony cabin was fine. No excessive ship noise or other issues.

Port Reviews

Rotterdam

Were told that we would have an hour at Markthal. Turned out to be 20 minutes with the only bathroom break on the tour.

Paris

Cut short and rushed. Nothing open in Arromanches.

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